The reviews are in: At last night's State of the Union address, President Obama effectively laid out his plan to move America forward through a thriving middle class.
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The reviews are in: At last night's State of the Union address, President Obama effectively laid out his plan to move America forward through a thriving middle class. "We will get it done"
Tonight, President Obama laid out his vision for our country in his State of the Union address: continuing to rebuild our economy, strengthening our education system, and passing much-needed comprehensive immigration reform.
Our chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, emailed her initial reaction after she left the speech. Take a look at her note, then add your name to say you support the agenda President Obama outlined tonight.
Friend --
I just walked out of the chamber, and -- wow -- I still have goosebumps. I couldn't be more proud of our President.
Let President Obama -- and all my colleagues in Congress -- know you support his plans for the coming year:
http://my.democrats.org/State-of-the-Union
Together, we will get it done.
Debbie
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair
Democratic National CommitteeFrom the archives: The State of the Union: An American tradition
Tomorrow, President Obama will walk into the chamber of the House of Representatives, and in the presence of members of Congress, the Cabinet, and Supreme Court justices, deliver his second State of the Union address.
Read MorePresident Obama on what it means to be a Democrat today
When President Obama addressed the House Democratic Issues Conference, he spoke about what it means to be a Democrat in this day and age. "When I think about what it means to be a Democrat in this day and age, I start with the basic proposition that we are all created equal, that we’re all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. And my governing philosophy and my interest in public service grows out of how we make that union more perfect for more people, day in, day out."
–President Obama addresses the House Democratic Issues Conference
The President asked you to act
Yesterday, President Obama called on all of us to play our part in reducing gun violence across the country. Here's something you can do right now: Sign our petition asking Congress to act quickly and pass legislation that will make our communities safer. Read the email with the details that our executive director, Patrick Gaspard, just sent to Democrats—then add your name.
Friend --
Yesterday in Minneapolis, President Obama told the American people that it's time to take some basic commonsense steps to reduce gun violence.
It's up to Congress to take the next step and pass legislation -- but first, we have to let them know that Americans demand they act quickly.
If you stand with the President, add your name to this petition telling Congress to act swiftly to pass legislation to reduce gun violence:
http://my.democrats.org/Reduce-Gun-Violence
Thanks,
Patrick
Patrick Gaspard
Executive Director
Democratic National CommitteeStrengthening our country through comprehensive immigration reform
Ours has always been a nation of immigrants. From Albert Einstein and Google's Sergey Brin to the millions of ordinary people with an extraordinary belief in the American Dream, immigrants built this country. But today, our immigration system is broken, and we need Congress to act. Ours has always been a nation of immigrants. From Albert Einstein and Google's Sergey Brin to the millions of ordinary people with an extraordinary belief in the American Dream, immigrants built this country. But today, our immigration system is broken.
President Obama has made it clear from the beginning that comprehensive immigration reform is a priority. In his first term, the Obama administration put more boots on the ground on the southern border than at any time in U.S. history, and today, illegal crossings are down nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000. Enforcement efforts were focused on criminals who entered illegally, and deportation of criminals is at its highest level ever. And the President and Democrats have stood on the side of DREAMers, high-achieving young people who were brought to this country as children.
But there's far more to be done to fix the system—and we need Congress to act. There's reason to hope this time: For the first time in years, Republicans are joining Democrats on a bipartisan approach to comprehensive immigration reform, and it's in line with the principles that President Obama outlined in a speech yesterday. But our representatives in Congress need to know that we stand behind comprehensive reform that:
1. Keeps strengthening our borders.
2. Cracks down on businesses that hire undocumented workers.
3. Holds undocumented immigrants accountable in order to earn their citizenship. This means having undocumented workers pay their taxes and a penalty, move to the back of the line, learn English, and pass background checks.
4. Updates the legal immigration system for families, workers, and employers.
This is a blueprint to fix our broken immigration system in a way that requires everyone to take responsibility and ensures everyone plays by the rules.
But as the debate heats up, it's important to remember that the lives and futures of millions of people are at stake. There are 11 million people currently living in the shadows. As President Obama said, "Remember that this debate isn’t just about policy. It’s about people. It’s about men and women who want nothing more than the chance to earn their way into the American story. Throughout our history, that has only made our nation stronger. And it’s how we will make sure that this century is the same as the last: an American century."
If you want Congress to pass comprehensive immigration, add your name.
What makes someone American
President Obama announced his approach to comprehensive immigration reform today, saying, ''What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone—from anywhere—can write the next chapter of our story.'' Inauguration
Last week, we inaugurated a president. It's easy to see an inauguration as the culmination of a long-fought campaign, but as our chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, reminded supporters in an email today, we still have a lot to do. From tackling climate to working for LGBT equality, the next four years will be busy.
Read the chair's email below, then chip in what you can to make sure it's a productive term.
Friend --
Watching President Obama take the oath of office last Monday was an incredible reward for all of the time and energy that you and millions of other Democrats put in throughout the election. And when I looked out at the sea of supporters who braved the cold to watch the President's inauguration, I was reminded that in you we have the support we need to make incredible change over the next four years.
Since I became Chair of the Democratic Party two years ago, my motto has been "no one will outwork us." And although we're still celebrating our incredible victories in 2012, it's time for us to get back to work.
President Obama has outlined an ambitious plan for his second term, including tackling climate change, working for full equality for LGBT Americans, and making sure that all Americans, no matter where they come from or who their parents are, have an equal shot. And it's up to us to fight for Democrats and make sure that that agenda becomes law.
Donate $5 or more now to make sure we have the resources to fulfill our duty to our country, ourselves, and the millions of Americans whose lives will change for the better:
https://my.democrats.org/Back-to-Work
Let's do this,
Debbie
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair
Democratic National Committee- LOAD MORE